Episode 020 - Infinity Bottles

In this episode, Eric sits down to chat with none other than Chad Robinson, who spearheads sales and distribution at Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, which means he gets to travel around the country talking to people about great spirits. He has also been known to enjoy a cocktail or two.

Some of the other topics we cover include:

Chad’s book of spirit-inspired poetry, entitled Gadabouts Abound

How to break the ice and build relationships in the world of craft spirits.

The art and science of blending whiskey, rum, brandy, and even amari (with generous tasting notes)

What to drink when you run into H.L. Menkin in Baltimore

And much, much more

Running into Chad at an event is always a treat, and it was a real blast to spend a few hours with him to record this episode. You can find him on Instagram at @bibo_ergo_sum and on Twitter at the same handle.

Featured Cocktail: The Diamondback

The Diamondback cocktail is a 3:2:1 ratio of Rye, Apple Brandy, and Chartreuse (in that order).

As you all know, Eric is a HUGE Green Chartreuse fan, but this cocktail can be made with either Green or Yellow Chartreuse, which have different flavor profiles. You can also play around with what type of apple brandy you use, ranging from a dark, sweet American style like Laird’s Applejack, to a drier, more refined French Calvados.

The ideal measurements for the Diamondback cocktail are going to be:

1.5 oz Rye

1 oz apple brandyand

.5 oz Chartreuse

Combine in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and strain into a coupe glass.

The Diamondback cocktail is only one of many topics Chad and I discuss during this episode. Our primary subject is the mysterious “infinity bottle,” which is a really cool way to extend the life of your almost-finished bottles of spirits and to become a master blender in the comfort of your own home.

Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss, among other things, infinity bottles, which are an at-home way to practice the fundamentals that master blenders employ when creating the worlds most sought-after brandies, rums, and Scotches.

From left to right, the bottles pictured are Amaro, Rum, Cognac, and Rye (Catoctin Creek Rabble-Rouser).

Chad Robinson is also the author of the poetry collection, Gadabouts Abound, which is available on Amazon.com.

Lightning Round Questions

Favorite Cocktail

The Vieux Carre--New Orleans' take on the Manhattan.

Favorite Spirit

Cognac--really any grape-based brandy.

Cocktail with Anyone on Earth, Past or Present

Influential Cocktail Books

Advice for New Home Bartenders

Master the fundamentals--especially the useful cocktail ratios--first and foremost. There are useful ratios of (spirit-to-sweet-to-sour-to-bitter-and-beyond) out there that, once mastered, can be used to meld any set of ingredients harmoniously, but only if you know what you're doing.